Des Moines
FOOD & DRINK
Budweiser Clydesdales to visit Des Moines to celebrate Folds of Honor
DES MOINES, Iowa — The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will be visiting the Iowa State Fair this year to celebrate 14 years of partnership with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to families of fallen or disabled veterans and first responders. This comes as the horses have embarked...
Des Moines' iconic cow sculptures get a new coat of paint
Annie and Eric have been sanded and repainted just in time to welcome visitors to the Iowa State Fair, which starts Aug. 8.Catch up quick: The iconic fiberglass cow sculptures are the mascots of Anderson Erickson Dairy and the informal ambassadors of Des Moines' fairgrounds neighborhoods.Annie, who is 14 feet and weighs around 2,500 pounds, has been in place since 1966.Her calf, Eric, is just under six feet and joined her in 1977.The intrigue: A "cow caper" in 2007 ended in a stolen Eric and a damaged Annie.Police soon located the stolen sculpture and both were restored.
West Des Moines indoor waterpark project plans moving forward
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A new West Des Moines attraction featuring an indoor waterpark took another step forward this week. The “Grand Experience” project has gained the approval of the West Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission. The idea for the half-billion-dollar entertainment and commercial development was introduced nearly two years ago. Developer Jim […]
Chinese restaurant specializing in barbecue duck, pork closes 'temporarily' July 29
After 22 years on Second Avenue in Des Moines, a Chinese restaurant “temporarily” closes July 29. Le’s Chinese Bar-B-Que closes, taking its Chinese and Vietnamese specialties with it. But fans of the restaurant can breathe easy; the owners are looking for a new space. Owners Tri Le and his wife Julie moved to Des Moines from Vietnam in 1992 and opened their Chinese restaurant in 2002. Second Avenue is now under construction with lane shifts. The...
Riding the rocket: A 53-year-old Union Park favorite will soon blast off with a new look
The Union Park Rocket Slide is almost ready to blast off. The beloved 53-year-old slide, which closed for repairs and safety upgrades last year, was originally slated to reopen sometime this summer. ...
Mandatory Payout for Prairie Meadows Jackpot Pick 5
Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, IA will hold a mandatory payout of the Pick 5 jackpot on Monday July 29, 2024. The track received approval from the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission to force out the jackpot, which hasn't been paid since mid-June. "The Pick 5 jackpot has grown to...
There's still (a little) time to see the agave death bloom in Des Moines
It's the beginning of the end for a well-known succulent at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, but before the plant dies it is going to go out with a bloom instead of a bang. The agave ovatifolia, also known as a frosty blue succulent, is a sight to see. Standing at...
Escaramuza charra Quetzalli's growth and impact across the globe
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — In the last three years, one of Des Moines escaramuza charra teams has already reached international success. Most recently, being featured in National Geographic. Quetzalli, made up of eight women and a few alternates, compete charrería: a Mexican rodeo where charros and escaramuza perform a...
Iowa State Fair launches first ever farmers market this year
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair may be known for its fried food, but some fresher options are coming this year with their new All-Iowa Fair View Farmers Market. A spokesperson for the Iowa State Fair said it is starting small for the first year, with five vendors in total. Each vendor gets […]
West Des Moines P&Z takes steps to move the Grand Experience forward
The West Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission took steps this week toward the realization of the Grand Experience, a planned $500 million entertainment and commercial development. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted Monday to recommend approval of an amendment to the city’s planned unit development concept plan and...
Death Bloom underway at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
DES MOINES, Iowa- The flowers on the agave ovatifolia at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden are officially opening. Around a month ago, we first introduced you to the death bloom. This agave takes around 10-15 years to bloom and when it does, it puts on a show. It’s 15-foot...
Where you can find new foods at 2024 Iowa State Fair — and what they cost
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is among the largest events in the state, with more than1 million people visiting the fairgrounds on Des Moines' east side every August. One of the biggest draws each year is the food — everything from traditional fair favorites like corn...
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